Friday, September 23, 2016

I'm Just a Simple Country Girl (with a big city heart)

Whenever I shop for end of season clearance, I'm looking not only for great deals, but also to see if an item could transition well into the next season.  When I saw this white gauze sleeveless top at J.C. Penney my first thought was that it would look fabulous under a denim jacket because of the blue braided trim.  The sleeveless aspect was a plus for me because I thought it would fit better under a denim jacket too.  I don't know about you, but I find denim jackets very uncomfortable to wear.  I love the way they look, but I don't like the way they feel.  They are so stiff to me.  Maybe someday I'll find a more comfortable one, who knows.


My jacket is from Express (old) and my jeans are from American Eagle (last season).


Here's what the top looks like on it's own.  It's a sheer gauze material, so I have a tank underneath.  I planned on wearing this outfit to Illinois to see the kids, but it ended up being super hot and humid (90+ degrees) so I ended up wearing the top alone with denim shorts and sandals.  I did take my denim jacket with me in case I needed it, but I never used it.  It was just that dang hot!


The top is very cool and comfy because o the material.  It also has an elastic waist, which I love because it helps camouflage my tummy.  The only drawback I found was that it wrinkled a bit, which I didn't feel I could fix because if you iron it, you lose the gauzy effect of the material.

If this top looks familiar to you it's because I introduced it to you on THIS POST.  It has the same braided trim as a dress I also purchased on clearance the same day.


I've been wanting to try the choker trend for awhile and I recently discovered I already had one hidden away in my jewelry box.  How fun is that?  This was the perfect top to wear a choker with because there is already detail in the neckline, so if I added a longer necklace it would only compete with the detail in the top.   However, because the choker is so much higher than the detail in the top,  it doesn't compete.


I do have a new bag to show you!!!!!  I've wanted a burgundy bag for fall (it's about the only color of bag I did not have in my closet, that and pure red) so when I spotted this cute one I couldn't resist.  Of course I bought it at JCP, where else?  It's by Nicole, it was originally $75, and was on sale for 40% off.   I then used a $10 off coupon so I got it for $35.   Believe it or not, that was still more than I wanted to pay because I'm a real cheapskate, but I bought it anyway.


My shoes are also from JCP.  I bought them last year, but they are still selling them this year.



 I like how the burgundy bag brings a spot of color into an otherwise neutral outfit.


Liz Claiborne Bib Front White Shell Top HERE,  Nicole Miller Kira Satchel HERE,  Arizona Lacie Wedge Ankle Booties HERE

If your wondering about the wood pile, I just love the interesting back drop it makes, especially with certain outfits like this one.  This outfit is 'country style' to me, so what better place to photograph it?

As for the wood, every year my husband gets about $1000 worth of "trees" delivered to our house.  Wood is our main heating source for our home.  And if your wondering what a thousand dollars worth of trees looks like, here it is:


That's a lot of wood, eh?  And it heats our house for one year.  My husband than takes each "tree" and  using a chainsaw, cuts it into shorter logs  and stacks it up like what you see behind me in the fashion pictures above.  Then throughout the winter he splits all those logs into smaller pieces for fires, they then dry outside for about year, then he moves them into our garage for storage and easy access to bring inside our home.  The entire process is done by hand.  He doesn't own a wood splinter.

Have a Great Day!  Amy

Linking Up with these Fabulous Blogs HERE!

34 comments:

  1. Wow that's a lot of firewood!

    I really like your burgundy bag, a great colour with your denim outfit and that's a really lovely embroidered top.

    I only have one denim jacket and it's pretty flexible but I've also owned it for a really long time. Over 12 years, haha! So that might factor into the lack of stiffness.

    Hope you're having a great week :)

    Away From The Blue Blog

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    1. Thanks Mica! Maybe I need to wash that denim jacket and it will be more flexible.

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  2. Love your new top! You did transition it well. So amazing he does all of that by hand!!

    Amy Ann
    Straight A Style

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    1. Thanks Amy. Yes, the wood chopping is a lot of work and I don't know how much longer he'll be able to keep it up. He's getting old!

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  3. I thought for sure those wedges were TOMS! I just got a replacement denim jacket, because the one Stitch Fit sent me was so much softer and a better quality then the one I have from ON! Oh my goodness, your husband chops all that wood?! That is a lot of work!

    Carrie
    curlycraftymom.com

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    1. I know what you mean Carrie, I see this same style of shoe a lot for a lot more money too. Stitch Fix sent me a denim jacket a few fixes back, and I didn't find it any better so I returned it. Yours must be a different brand.

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  4. I recently gave a way my old denim jacket that was pretty stiff and uncomfortable. When I shopped for a new one, I made sure to get one with lots of stretch - makes all the difference! You new bag is perfect! Love the color and style. That is one awesome looking wood pile! I can't believe he does it all by hand.

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    1. Thanks Karen. I think I'll be on the hunt for a new denim jacket, although it makes my stomach churn because I spent a lot of money on this one. I bought it from Express when denim jackets were just re-emerging on the scene and hard to find. It never fit very well. I never should have bought it, but I wanted a denim jacket so bad back then. The sleeves are too short, so I always have to keep them rolled up.

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  5. Oh that's a shame, I love my denim jean jacket and wear it often. Love your boots, great colours and wedges are so comfy. Jacqui
    www.mummabstylish.com

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    1. Thank you. I'll try and find another jacket thats more comfortable.

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  6. Great top! And I really like your bag - it will go so well with so many fall outfits!

    I have a denim jacket that has a fair amount of stretch in it and is therefore quite comfortable. I actually wanted to get a new one (because it's a bit past its prime) but I haven't found one as comfortable and soft yet...

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    1. Thanks Andrea, if you find another jacket, let me know.

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  7. Looking cute and sexy in your denim outfit! Thanks for much for linking up with Fun Fashion Friday!

    OXOX
    Dawn Lucy
    http://fashionshouldbefun.com

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    1. Thanks Dawn. It's nice to be seen as "sexy" still at my age!

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  8. Great shirt and you're right---the choker echos it perfectly!!
    What a project for that wood----that's so impressive!!
    jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

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    1. Thanks Jodie! I'm happy I found the choker in my stash. And your so right about the wood. It's so much work, I don't know how he does it.

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  9. This looks really nice, perfect color combination. And I love the backdrop! Seeing all the wood brings back childhood memories. My dad used to cut all the wood by hand too, back when we used to heat with wood. And it looked just like this all nicely stacked. Miss those days...

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    1. Thanks Elli! I love using my husband's wood pile as a backdrop. It provides such nice color and texture. I thought I was the only one who did this, but I've since seen other fashion bloggers use wood as a backdrop as well.

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  10. Great look - I love your new blouse! Cool booties too. Thanks for linking, xo

    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

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  11. Cute blouse! I really like the gauzy feel of the top! Perfect to wear year round!

    http://www.mylittlenest.org

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  12. The denim jacket is my favorite early fall layering piece! You look fab!

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  13. I love the backdrop but holy moly what a lot of work cutting up all that wood! Amazing that you guys are able to use it for heat though. My dream is to someday have a wood burning fire place in my house.

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    1. Yes, it is a lot of work, but more inexpensive than trying to heat our large home any other way.

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  14. OK, first of all the wood background looks great. How cool that is how you guys keep warm for Winter. It reminds me of Albania because when I was young and still lived there, we used a wood-burning stove to heat up and cook, too.

    I think denim jackets are comfy but I can see them being stiff. How neat that your choker is blue like the denim. Your top is nice, I recently ordered one like it from Target. Love love your booties and bag though, both amazing for Fall. =)

    <3 Ada.

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  15. Nice transitional outfit. The pop up of the burgundy color was the perfect addition. Those booties are great. Thank you for linking up with My Red Carpet.

    Anna xoxo
    www.glamadventure.com

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  16. Thanks for linking up to Top of the World Style. Great job on the denim on denim.

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    1. Love the red bag and the embroidered top looks so pretty with the denim jacket!
      Thanks for linking up with Turning Heads Tuesday
      jess xx
      http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
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